Visa free policy for 38 countries comes into immediate effect

2 September 2024 04:29 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 26 Bookmark

A A A

Colombo, August 02 (Daily Mirror) - The Cabinet has approved a 'one chop' system for the 38 visa-free countries, commencing with immediate effect, Advisor to the Ministry of Tourism Harin Fernando said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Fernando said the 'one chop system' adopted by Singapore refers to a more streamlined process of issuing a visa or a visa extension with just one official stamp or seal ('chop') on the applicant’s passport.

“This indicates that the visa has been approved and authorised without the need for additional approvals or complicated procedures,” he said.

“This approach is designed to expedite the process making it quicker and more straightforward for applicants,” he added.

The Cabinet earlier decided to allow 35 countries visa-free access into Sri Lanka from October 1, 2024,

However, the latest decision will come into effect immediately.

Comments - 26

Citizen A Monday, 02 September 2024 04:46 PM

Shouldn’t compare Singapore in this instance cos the difference in effective law

1 19

HARIN LIVING IN " A FOOL'S PARADISE Tuesday, 03 September 2024 12:12 AM

CITIZEN YOU ARE SPOT ON. SINGAPORE IS FAR FROM OUR REACH, WE HAVE BEEN HOODWINKED BY THIS GOVT FOR DECADES AND THE HOOKWINKING CONTINUES. HARIN IS LIVING IN A WORLD FULL OF CORRUPTION, AS LONG AS THIS GOVT IS IN POWER CORRUPTION WILL THRIVE AND THE PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER. FREE VISAS AWAIT SCAMERS, DRUG PEDDLERS, PROSTITUTES AND MONEY LAUNDERERS COMING IN AS TOURISTS AND USING OUR COUNTRY AS THEIR BASE. THE COUNTRYS PEOPLE WILL LOSE FAR MORE MONEY THAN THESE SO CALLED TOURISTS WILL SPEND IN THE COUNTRY.

2 4

Geoff Monday, 02 September 2024 05:01 PM

So someone finally saw sense. I hope that the damage already caused to the tourist industry is not too bad. We usually come to Sri Lanka in the winter but had planned to go elsewhere when the visa fiasco started. We may now reconsider as we do look forward to seeing friends we have made. Not having to pay for a visa simply means that we will spend a bit more locally.

1 36

Hassanda Monday, 02 September 2024 05:52 PM

The Visa free on Arrival Why kuwait is not in the List also Bahrain Kuwait since for the past 40 years Being helping Sri Lanka financially for various Projects Road Development Dam Construction various other Development project Y Kuwait not in the Said List Over to You Mr Harin Fdo

10 12

Lk Monday, 02 September 2024 07:10 PM

Political move to win votes . You have failed on people and do try to get name back like this..odd jobs and do works and many tricks now

9 13

Buddhist Monday, 02 September 2024 07:14 PM

Yes, Ranil has messed up the online visa by illegally approving the new arrangement through the cabinet. This will only make the queues for foreign visitors longer. I cannot remember one thing that Ranil has done correctly in the past 2 years. Even the disappearance of the ques is not because of anything Ranil has done but because of excessive taxes and non-payment of loans and interest.

15 24

CitizenP Monday, 02 September 2024 07:19 PM

Can a advisor do the work of a minister?

3 12

Mahendra Munidasa Monday, 02 September 2024 07:21 PM

How and where do you get the visa???

5 9

Mahendra Munidasa Monday, 02 September 2024 07:22 PM

How and where do you get the visa??

7 8

Damage control Monday, 02 September 2024 07:41 PM

Damage control. This kind of hasty desperation causes revenue losses and thereafter more issues for the government in the long run. Tourist arrivals do not automatically translate to higher revenue. Most of those visiting are low budget travelers like backpackers, solo and social media travelers. They live in small village rentals, eat at tea cafes and street food stalls, and travel by public transport. It is time for Sri Lanka to revamp, revise its definition of 'luxury' and market itself to those who are willing to spend for highest quality, service and value. It can be done with the right training and classy decision makers.

8 16

Alex Monday, 02 September 2024 10:46 PM

Believe me, your country still has a long time to work to meet the demand of luxury tourists, say thank you that "budget" tourists came to you and supported the country with their dollars when you had an economic crisis, that these "budget" tourists open a business here and teach local staff high quality service!

0 6

Damage control Thursday, 05 September 2024 05:09 PM

Not my country, but okay. As I have stated too, SL is not up to the mark in luxury tourism market hence I have said about redefining luxury and providing more training. Budget tourists are welcome but cannot be relied on for a country's revenue to gain economic stability.

0 1

Dee Tuesday, 03 September 2024 07:31 AM

When there is a visa fee also people have problem, when made visa free still have problem! What to do? Or don’t do! Still have problems! What is the people wanting? Oh blimey!

2 4

Judge Monday, 02 September 2024 07:50 PM

As usual, "immediately". Where is the website? I just looked at the SL immigration sites and evisa site. Still the the old announcement is there re Supreme Court order. So much pain for tourists due terrible incompetency of all involved. These are just announcements, but no action. SL already has lost so many tourists. What a stupid country!

2 26

Ritigala Jayasena Monday, 02 September 2024 09:24 PM

This is an extremely dangerous and short-sighed move just to avoid the negative impression of the government due to Visa Queues for Tourists at BIA 1. This will decrease income for Government 2. It'll be open gateway for any criminals from such countries We had a satisfactory system for pre-approved / on-arrival visa before VFS, and they revoked it due to Court Order and sabotage Local Immigration Authorities doing the job they were doing before. We need to relax visa for Tourism - no doubt on that, but the reason should be to promote Tourism and attract Investments, not due to poor management of our own Visa handling. Another remarkable stupid achievement by Government and specifically calling out Tiran Alles as direct respondent.

13 19

Hadam Monday, 02 September 2024 10:50 PM

For goodness sake’s finally common sense prevails.

0 3

Nihal Did Monday, 02 September 2024 10:58 PM

Barcelona, Malaga, Philipine, Thailand protesting about over tourism beginning of the end is near for many good old Srilanka

0 3

Citizen2023 Monday, 02 September 2024 11:20 PM

Wonder how a MP who was disqualified by the Supreme Court to attend Parliament can be appointed as an advisor to Ministry and paid by the from the tax payers money? Ranil has discarded the SC order and appointed him to this position. Opposition and any other party should file legal action. Such actions can bring the downfall of Ranil in the Prez Election.

0 3

Amaree Tuesday, 03 September 2024 02:40 AM

Being in the LONG QUEUE to stamp the visa in really a "ONE CHOP". Why can't Prez sort out this issue?

0 4

Pusa Tuesday, 03 September 2024 07:39 AM

Desperation on display! The Gov we get is the one we deserve!

0 5

Mark Anandappa Tuesday, 03 September 2024 08:57 AM

It shows the Officials

0 2

Jude Tuesday, 03 September 2024 09:32 AM

The biggest tourists destination in Asia after China is Thailand about 40 million tourists annually. Then Vietnam attract 18 million annually. And SL can't reach even 2 Million tourists annually. Free visa crap not gonna help. Have a plan first to reach 2 million tourists annually And in 5 years 5 million tourists now that's doable for real intelligent people!! Unfortunately SL politicians talk like chocolate Einstein's yeah Even the advisors Huh but can't get done Even simple tasks.

0 7

Businessman Tuesday, 03 September 2024 11:33 AM

The only way to expand tourism is to invite tourists to visit from all directions. This is why the runway in Jaffna airport should be extended for larger aircrafts to land. The Indian government is ready to help out. However I understand that the Sri Lankan government is resisting the offer. The visa fiasco at BIA has ruined SriLanka’s name. Forget politics behave like an adult and act in a commendable and sensible way and improve Jaffna airport. Don’t be petty mindedness.

1 1

DW from the UK Tuesday, 03 September 2024 10:02 AM

This is gold!!!!!!! I am already in the process of visiting Sri Lanka with my son in September. Thank you Sri Lanka. The $100 that we are saving will be spent in Sri Lanka.

0 5

Manel Fonseks Tuesday, 03 September 2024 11:49 AM

Why are we allowing citiizens of a state which is perpetrating genocide, Israel, visa-free entry?

4 3

Fred Olsen Thursday, 05 September 2024 05:35 PM

Thank goodness, I am arriving into CMB in September and was dreading the long queues for a visa. Well done whoever saw sense and implemented the visa free access immediately :)

0 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.